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CELEBRATING THE FATHER OF 
FORT LAUDERDALE FOR FATHER’S DAY 

The lazy, hazy days of summer officially kick off this 
year on Sunday, June 21st, the day we also pay homage
to dads everywhere. Here at Stranahan House Museum,
we’ll honor the “founding father” of Fort Lauderdale –
Frank Stranahan.

Frank Stranahan arrived on the New River in 1893 at the
age of 27 only to discover a relatively harsh and
unforgiving environment inhabited by the Seminole Indians
and a handful of white settlers. He started a trading post
and did a great deal of business with the Seminoles,
forging long-lasting relationships with them and garnering
a reputation for being a fair and honest businessman.
While the Seminoles traveled to his trading post using
dugout canoes, Frank operated the ferry that crossed the
New River to transport wagons and large cargo. Frank’s
trading post on the New River in downtown Fort
Lauderdale was the area’s first commercial venture.

As the settlement attracted more inhabitants, a schoolhouse
and teacher were needed. Ivy Julia Cromartie arrived in
1899 to educate 12 school-age children. The pretty 18
year-old immediately caught the attention of Frank
Stranahan and in 1900 the two were wed. Frank had the
Stranahan House built in 1901 with broad covered
porches to allow the Seminoles to sleep off of the ground
after they came to trade at the post. They would often
paddle their canoes all the way from their home in the
Everglades and stay at the house for days at a time. 

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The Landings & Bay Colony